Scriabin: 12 Etudes, 24 Preludes

It is undeniable that Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) counts amongst the most unconventional composers of the XXth century. Very few have known such remarkable evolution throughout their lives and have developed such a strongly marked musical identity. This album’s contents are dedicated to two cycles that may be considered belonging to his first period, when Scriabin had the romantic idiom at heart. The romantic frame of his first compositions led some to call Scriabin the “Russian Chopin”. Without the shadow of a doubt, Scriabin was a fervent admirer of F. Chopin. When composing his 12 Etudes, Op. 8 and his Preludes, op. 11, the example provided by his precursor imposed himself to him. But Scriabin stood out from his predecessor, and gradually developed a unique style and atmosphere. Scriabin emerges – in these works more obviously than ever – as a prodigy with unprecedented expressivity, putting lyricism and profoundness at the center of his works.